GLASGOW’S LOCAL SCENE PREVAILS ON DAY 2 OF TRNSMT
SOAPBOX (Hope Simmers/Northern Exposure)
FESTIVAL REVIEW | TRNSMT DAY 2 13/07/24 by Anne Kelly
Day 2 of TRNSMT 2024 and the weekend feels like it is officially here! Getting underway a little earlier than the previous days events, the opening act of the day came from the unbelievable Australian psych-prog rockers, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. Raising the curtain of the King Tuts Stage at midday, the Aussie rock band performed a stellar one hour set for the earliest risers before joining us at Northern Exposure for an exclusive quick fire chat after.
The Saturday show at Glasgow Green was the first of the three days to declare a sell out and understandably so. From headliner Gerry Cinnamon on the main stage, preceding acts Courteeners, Rick Astley, The Vaccines and Dylan John Thomas; to being spoilt for choice on King Tuts Stage with local legends Dead Pony, viral starlet Katie Gregson-MacLeod and later on, from Edinburgh’s Vistas. But it was the smallest stage on the Green; the River Stage, which proved itself as the place to be on Saturday.
Some of the best of Glasgow’s up and coming talent could be found over on the River Stage this weekend, but Saturday’s incredible line up had us well pressed to try and stay away. Opening with BBC Scotland Introducing Act of the Year winners Bottle Rockets (interview here), the Glasgow band set the tone for the day. Followed by a last minute addition and Glasgow favourite, Soapbox; the River Stage was where it was all happening.
Having gathered the controversial attention of North American Neo Nazi organisation Proud Boys, Glasgow’s Soapbox couldn’t be further removed from the far right group. Easily one of the most passionate performances of the weekend, front man Tom Rowan projects something to be desired. Taking the audience in his palm, Tom tells us “if you don’t come closer [to the stage] then I’ll make ye! And that’s not a threat but a promise”. And it’s delivered. The impressive early afternoon crowd are here for it and Tom manages to break his microphone lead not once, but twice in quick succession in an attempt to get up close with the audience. Looking around the crowd during their anthemic ‘Private Public Transport‘, it’s amazing to see such a raw reaction to its tongue in cheek, anarchic nature for the first time. A great example of the rising Glasgow scene right now, Soapbox are one for the ages.
What I personally love about the Glasgow music scene is reflected in the the familiar unity across the grassroots stages. Every band I see from this scene over the weekend are vocally complimentary towards their peers. Dropping set recommendations to outright paying tribute, it’s a beautiful and homely atmosphere to be part of. Bottle Rockets to Soapbox, Dead Pony to Plasticine, Kerr Mercer to Gallus; the local scene has never felt so hot.
As touched upon within the Day 1 round up, the main stage access is disappointingly crowded at all times. The front pits shut off for the majority of the weekend after around 3pm, the rest of the TRNSMT crowds are left struggling for space in the constricted space between the front pen barriers and the alternative festival stages, food and drink outlets and the queues formed around them. If you’re tall enough, you may catch a glimpse of the wide screens at either side of the main stage. It’s not a pleasant space to occupy with festival goers attempting to cross the green around you. Whilst the close proximity between stages can be perceived as an advantage for us stage hoppers, it ultimately contradicts from open air atmosphere which festivals are built on.
In addition to the highlights on the River Stage, over on the King Tuts stage played host to Manchester based Seb Lowe. With their endearing charm against a raw leftist politic narrative, the young band secure themselves as ones to watch. Not only a delight to watch on stage, the young word smith and his band proved to be the best interview of the weekend when they joined Northern Exposure backstage.
Day 2 ended just as passionately as it had started for us gathered at the River Stage for one of Glasgow’s most thrilling live acts, Gallus. Bringing on stage the stunning Tina Sandwich for their last single release ‘Wash Your Wounds‘ and closing with inviting (well, dragging) up a flustered Anna Shields of Dead Pony from the crowd, the end of the night was left on a euphoric high.
Whilst the crowds were decisively split across the variety on offer today, the same ambience of togetherness was left firmly in place as the day came to a wholesome end.
Day 3 up next…are we ready?!
TRNSMT will return for 2025 July 11 – 13 with early bird tickets for on sale NOW
More TRNSMT coverage available HERE!
Author
